12-minute salvo almost wins it for Beavers

3 quick goals almost snatch the points for Hampton but it ends up only a point at Poole

The Beavers put aside a limp first half to roar back from a 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2 with 10 minutes left, but they couldn't hold on as Marvin Brooks for the hosts cleaned up a loose rebound with just over 5 minutes to go.

Hampton got the worst of all starts as they managed to concede a goal within the first minute. Burbridge laying the ball into the path of Abdulai Bell-Baggie, whose shot defeated Howes and the back four with a hint of a slight deflection.

The Dolphins could've had a second on 20 minutes as Howes made a good save from Brooks, the rebound falling to Roberts who tapped home, but from an offside position.

Hampton's attacking threat was being muted by a quick defense, the nearest they got was through Brendan Kiernan, who within the space of 5 minutes around the middle of the half, managed to firstly fire a shot over the bar before getting closer, hitting the bar with Poole keeper Nick Hutchings beaten.

The hosts finally did get their second on 36 minutes as the Hampton defence and midfield were being pulled all over the park. Bell-Baggie's deep cross from the Poole Town right was met at the back post by Brooks, his header across goal left Luke Roberts with the easiest of cushioned headers into the half empty net.

Dowse chose to make two changes right after the half time interval, bringing on Culley and Hippolyte-Patrick for Gallagher and Jolley and the Beaver started to look the stronger, with a greater share of the possession.

On 67 minutes, they finally broke through. Duncan Culley finally got some space just outside the left hand edge of the box, his near post cross was met by a lurking Brendan Kiernan to give the team some hope.

Just 8 minutes later, the Beavers got their equaliser as a corner was not cleared or defended well enough by the Dolphins and Culley had the simplest of tasks in striking it into the net under the diving Hutchings.

Poole, by now, were looking somewhat panicky and it didn't take long for the Hampton boys to make the most of that.

Hutchings came tearing out to clear away a long ball but his attempt was not good enough, the ball ending up with Brendan Kiernan who calmly lifted the ball over the desperate keeper and into the net, sending the travelling support into an ecstatic frenzy.

3 goals in 12 minutes, under normal circumstances, this would be enough to make sure of a win, but the Beavers' trouble with defending came back to haunt them in the 83rd minute.

Poole were trying to make a change as Brooks was fouled on the edge of the box; the change brought on free kick specialist James Granger. His free kick around the wall brought a great save from Sam Howes, but the young keeper could do nothing about the rebound, it falling to Brooks who fired it in over him and into the net.

The Beavers tried to force home a 4th goal but despite their best efforts, the team had to settle for just a point.

Speaking after the match, Dowse was full of praise for those who had travelled down to support the team.

"I think if it hadn't been for those fans behind the goal, still singing at 2-0, the boys wouldn't have managed that second half. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I have never known fans like these!"